Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-04-01

which Brown responded, that though the
Governor might live fifteen years he would
have u good deal to answer Tor ut last, and
that he had better bc making preparations,
too.
THE TRIAL AND EXECUTION.
An indictment, for treason and murder,
was ut once found against Brown, aud he
was closely confined in prison. The case
came No for hearing in the Circuit Court
at CharlcStOwn on the Goth Of October,
Hon. Richard Parker was the Judge on
the bench Mt the time; he is still living and
engaged in the practice OF law at Win
chester, Virginia; James ". Campbell
was High Sheriff, and John Avis, Jailer.
Both are now dead. Charles w. Harding
was Prosecuting Attorney; he, too, is dead.
Governor Wise appointed Andrew Hunter
to assist the prosecution; he is still alive,
and resides at CharlestOwn. Judge Parker
appointed George W. Hogh, George Len
mott and Lawson Bolts counsel tor the de-
Tense. The latter was killed ut thosecOnd
battle of Manassas while serving rs Colo
uel of the Second Virginia Confederate
Regiment. 1t is worthy OF note that his
grandfather, Benjamin Bolts, defended
Aaron Burr from a similar charge.
The defense moved for q continuance be
cause OF the physical condition OF the priS'
Oner but the motion was Overruled and q
Jury composed of the following named was
empaneled: John C. Wiltshire foreman
Richard Timberlake, Joseph Myers, Thos.
Watson. Jr., Isaac Dust, John G.. Mcclure,
William Rightsteine, Jacob Miller, ThoS,
Osbourne, George W. Bowyer, George W.
Tabb and William \. Martin. OF these
but four are believed to be living, viz
Timberlake, Mcclure, Osbourne and Bow
yer.
Throughout his trial Brown was unable
to sit because Of his wounds, and he lay
upon mattress. On the evening of the
third day of the trial the jury returned {
verdict of guilty and the prisoner WAS sen
fenced to be hanged on December Is. A
last resort his counsel sought
executive clemency. The law o
Virginia provided that the Governor
should not grant pardon to any one con
yicted of treason without the consent Of tn,
General Assembly. Governor Wise by
message notified that body OF the oppoSi
ton of Browns counsel and it, on the I'll
of December, by joint action resolved
That the SAID sentence is deemed plainly
night aud no intcrpOSitiOn of the authority
OF this legislature is deemed necessary o
proper to delay the execution OF the sen
tence OF the court pronounced upon sale
persons"
Brown now gave up all hOpe,-if in
deed he had ever entertained any, an'
during his last days letters OF sympathy
and coincidence from eminent editors anC
politicians, North and South poured ii
upon him.
At length the 4atal day arrived; thu
condemned man walked forth from tn,
Jail with firm and steady step. Mount
inc the wagon which was to convey him 4
the gallows, he seated himself between
Mr.. Avis, the jailOr, and Mr.. Saddler, tn,
undertaken. Arriving at the place of eXecu
ton, he descended from the wagon and as
cended the scafiOld, the first man to stanI
upon it. The cap was drawn, the ropt
adjusted, the signal given, and the body
was dangling in the air. When life wa
extinct it was cut down and Mr.. Saddles
placed it in a walnut coffin, and it wa
sent to North Elba, New York, where Al
eloquent eulOgy was pronounced over it b.
Wendell Phillips. Henry A. Wise salt
that Brown was rs brave man as eve
headed an instruction. He was tn
fartheSt possible remove from the ordinar.
ruffian, rake or mailman" Notwithstand
ing this, that he died fanatic, victim O
delusiOn which entirely possessed hin
none will deny.
Six OF Browns companions, were ais